Make Your Point > Archived Issues > WELD

Send Make Your Point issues straight to your inbox.

"WELD" Meaning: Of course, to weld things is to heat them up until they're soft and then unite them into one piece.   We're interested in the abstract use. To weld things is to bring them together in a strong, permanent way. Pronunciation: WELD Part of speech: Often a transitive verb. Like “eat,” “try,” and “want,” all transitive verbs do something to an object. You eat a banana, try a game, and want a new phone. Likewise, you weld things together. It's also an intransitive verb. Like “sleep,” “skydive,” and “succeed,” all intransitive verbs show complete action on their own and do not do action to an object. You sleep, you skydive, you succeed, and that’s it. You don’t “sleep a bed,” “skydive a plane,” or “succeed a plan”. Likewise, things weld together.) Other forms: welded, welding, welder, weldable, weldability, etc. How to use it: "Weld" is an easy, short, powerful word that you may have occasion to use more often in its abstract sense. Talk about welding one or more things together when they're joined in a durable way. You can also simply say that one thing is welded in place. If you want to stay very true to the word's literal sense, then use "weld" when you're talking about things that had to soften or change somehow before they came together. The meaning is often pleasant and positive: two companies weld together to work toward a common goal, and the singer welds her voice to the driving rhythms of the drum. But you can certainly use "weld" for negative ideas: the bad habits welded together into an unyielding mass, the sad memory was forever welded to my mind, and so on. Her mind welds too easily to new ideas regardless of their rationality; hopefully she'll learn to think more critically in college. The image of my grandfather in his mid-70s is welded to my memory; he's working on his airplane, organizing his arrowheads, and mashing up my biscuit with honey, and it's as if the time that's gone by hasn't, and it's as if he hasn't passed away. Look away from the screen to explain the definition in your own words. You’ll know you understand what "weld" means when you can explain it without saying "fuse" or "join together." Think of a combination of two or more things that you love, and fill in the blanks: "_____ is the perfect welding of _____ and _____." Example: "TheOatmeal.com is the perfect welding of comedy, truth, cats, and grammar." Spend at least 20 seconds occupying your mind with the game and quote below. Then try the review questions. Don’t go straight to the review now—let your working memory empty out first. Playing With Words: This month, with the gracious permission of author Dr. Barbara Ann Kipfer, we’re sampling some English language trivia from Word Nerd: More Than 17,000 Fascinating Facts about Words. Dr. Kipfer’s book is a hearty 570-page feast that I’ve been gleefully devouring for the past few months. We’re starting off with easy questions, then working our way toward some whoppers at the end of the month, all the while focusing on funny, unusual words; surprising word histories; and cool tidbits about the language.  Yesterday's question: The English word for this creature comes from Old French “chatepelose,” which means “hairy cat.” What creature is it? Answer: A caterpillar. Try this one today. It should feel moderately difficult:   This was first a type of serge (fabric) produced in Nimes, France—serge de Nimes—the last two words coming together to form the English word. What is it? A Point Well Made: Sydney J. Harris: “The principal difference between love and hate is that love is an irradiation, and hate is a concentration. Love makes everything lovely; hate concentrates itself on the object of its hatred.” 1. The opposite of WELD is A. STAND B. RESTRUCTURE C. SEPARATE 2. Lauren Sedam, a witty writer for The Independent, quipped that a college student had "tried welding, and he _____ it."  A. found he enjoyed B. got injured by C. connected with Answers are below. To be a sponsor and send your own message to readers of this list, please contact Liesl at Liesl@HiloTutor.com. Make Your Point is crafted with love and brought to you each day for free by Mrs. Liesl Johnson, M.Ed., a word lover, learning enthusiast, and private tutor of reading and writing in the verdant little town of Hilo, Hawaii. For writing tips, online learning, essay guidance, and more, please visit www.HiloTutor.com. Disclaimer: Word meanings presented here are expressed in plain language and are limited to common, useful applications only. Readers interested in authoritative and multiple definitions of words are encouraged to check a dictionary. Likewise, word meanings, usage, and pronunciations are limited to American English; these elements may vary across world Englishes. Answers to review questions: 1. C 2. C